The bill amends Chapter 24-8 of the General Laws regarding the construction and maintenance of state roads by introducing a new section, 24-8-4.3, which mandates that all contractors performing work on projects for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA), or any other road or bridge work in the state must implement a traffic monitoring plan. This plan must be filed with RIDOT and/or RITBA as part of any bid or contract and must include the presence of a crash truck or attenuator truck equipped with operational traffic monitoring cameras during construction or maintenance work on state highways and interstate connectors.

The bill specifies that the crash truck/attenuator truck must be in place and the camera operational whenever work is being undertaken. It outlines requirements for camera placement based on the type of highway, stating that at least one camera must face oncoming traffic on divided highways, and if the highway is not divided, cameras must face in both directions. In the event of a motor vehicle accident at the work site resulting in injury or death to a state employee or construction worker, all video footage generated from the cameras must be provided to the Rhode Island State Police and the Department of Attorney General for investigation purposes.

The bill establishes penalties for violations of these provisions, categorizing them into misdemeanors and felonies based on the number of offenses within a five-year period. A first violation is classified as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a fine between $500 and $1,000. A second violation within five years is classified as a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a fine of at least $1,000. A third or subsequent violation within five years is also classified as a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of $2,500. Contractors found in violation may be barred from contracting with the state and/or performing any construction or maintenance work on RIDOT, RITBA, or other road or bridge projects in the state for up to five years. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.